Back in time

[Guest]

This isn't a puzzle but I want to hear what other people think.

If I were to say "I wish to go 'back' in time," you would probably understand that I am talking about a date that occured before today.

If I were to say "I am going to move the date 'back,'" what do I mean?

I hear that a lot with reguard to exam dates or release dates and they are saying there is going to be a delay. In this context 'back' means to go further from today in either direction, and I don't think that's logical. In the forward or backward sense, each should have a constant direction.

What is your logic?

[Guest]

This isn't a puzzle but I want to hear what other people think.

There are other forums for opinions. You really should only be using this one for riddles.

If I were to say "I am going to move the date 'back,'" what do I mean?

If used correctly, you mean that an appointment would be rescheduled for an earlier date than originally planned.

I hear that a lot with reguard to exam dates or release dates and they are saying there is going to be a delay.

Then you hear it being used incorrectly. When there is going to be a greater delay, the date is being moved 'forward'.

In this context 'back' means to go further from today in either direction, and I don't think that's logical. In the forward or backward sense, each should have a constant direction.

No, in the context you just described, it means to happen later rather than earlier than previously scheduled- not at a time in the past (further from today in either direction).

[Guest]

I say it's not a puzzle in that I do not have an answer. It is however puzzling that phrases can be incorrectly used over and over without anybody giving it a second thought. I wanted to hear a logical argument so I came to this forum.

[Guest]

No problem, mdsl. I think this type of thing better belongs in the "Others" forum, so I'm going to move it there.

A topic on words and phrases used incorrectly is a good one. I can't think others right now, but some really "rub me the wrong way".

[Guest]

Look at it this way:

Most people see time as a continuum forward and backward of point "present." (P)

If you are going "back" in time, then you are getting further from (P)

If you are moving "back" an appointment, you are still getting further from (P).

Now you are standing at (P), looking at points 1 and 2. Point 1 is closer than point 2. If you want Point 2 closer than Point 1, what do you do to Point 1? - You move it back ...

[Guest]

Back off

and

back away

both mean to move farther away from a specific point, so I don't believe it is incorrect to say

move the date back

to mean moving it farther away.

[akaslickster]

Very similar to yours Magic Leprechaun, perhaps your answers are right above this post.

Edited May 10, 2008 by akaslickster